freddy333

Looks gen, but I would need much better pics (or solid provenance) before any serious consideration. If gen, value is somewhere between $5,000 & $10,000. Alot depends on how much the buyer is willing to pay.

Only 1 word - tasty.

Could be a number of things, but the auto-wind module is likely either damaged or installed incorrectly (not meshing with winding wheels). Only option is to remove, disassemble, inspect, correct (the problem) & reinstall.

Looks gen, but I have never seen that (or any other non-signed Daytona) dial before.

As others have said, it is a tough call &, ultimately, you have to choose from a set of less than optimal options. Technically, the safest method is Registered Mail with the package insured for the actual value of the contents (that is what Rolex recommends to customers shipping watches to them for service). However, in reality, it is probably best to have the watch in the possession of the shipper for the least amount of time & to draw as little attention to the package as possible. So overnight shipping with a low value/insurance will tend to draw less attention from thieves. Of course, if the package is lost or stopped by customs, you could have problems. My rule of thumb is that unless the person you are shipping to requests otherwise, I generally ship gens via Registered Mail/full value & non-gens overnight with $25 value/insurance. Life is a gamble & sometimes, you just have to roll the dice.

I cannot seem to locate it just now, but I posted a thread a few years ago detailing a coronet swap on 1 of my old DW dials. I also used an old (gen) DJ dial as a donor, but I had to remove the 2 existing feet on the gen coronet & cement it to the DW dial because the DW holes placed the gen coronet too low on the dial.

Exactly. Circa late 40s through early 60s. It is difficult to place a value on a partial movement like this, since, as most of us long-timers well know, the sky is the limit when it comes to vintage Rolex. Especially, if the right buyer comes along. But, realistically, as-is, unless you are willing to hold it ad infinitum, I would price it at around $300 & accept anything over $100.

I do not mean to hurt anyone's feelings & I can appreciate the amount of time, effort & work that went into this piece (obviously alot), but it is another example of too much of a good thing. Too much (mechanically-induced) wear & too much (chemically-induced) corrosion on a base that lacks some of the details of a true vintage Rolex gen. I get that many appreciate this style, but I think it looks artificial.........nice, but just not like the real thing. Kind of like a nice pair of silicone breasts or hair transplants. They have a certain draw, but, on an almost cartoonish level, they would never fool a knowledgable viewer. Now, before people start posting pics of gens, I realize that you can always find a few that look similar to this, but they are the exception to the rule & often have questionable provenances too boot. Just my $0.02.

Remember the pledge process in 'Animal House'? Exactly the same when joining RWG staff.

It is the (still) crispness of the case (& crown) edging that does not fit with the dial. At the very least, I would go at the entire edging of the case (& crown) with a fine file & then use a steel brush Dremel wheel to round/smooth things out. With your 'gentle' touch & usual vintaging technique, it ought to turn out just right.

Love the watch, but the case & crown need a bit of enhanced patination to reduce the conditional incongruity between them & the dial.

If this is a watch you want to keep, it might pay to have the watchmaker do a complete overhaul on the movement while he has it.

I cannot believe this thread is still active. If you do not have a pony in this race (that is, you are not personally awaiting the return of a watch from MD2020), please leave this thread to those who do (are). Regardless of what behind-the-scenes information you may or may not have, I think it would be best to leave MD2020 & his customers to sort everything out without the collateral chatter.

I hate to say it, but, from your description, it sounds like the locking components may have been bent/dislodged before you received the watch. Your only option at this point is to remove the hands/dial & scope out the condition of the keyless works (I would recommend telephoning some local watchmakers & asking if they work on an ETA in a rep before making the trip).

Unless someone is making up their own dictionary, (watch) repairing & servicing are synonymous. The seconds @ 6 7750 simply has an additional plate with a few wheels on top of the main plate (click here for pics). Any watchmaker fluent in 7750 repair (or servicing) should be able to figure it out without much trouble.

I would take the watch to a local watchmaker. It is an easy fix that can probably be done while you wait. While open, he can figure out why the stem fell out in the 1st place. Otherwise, you will need to remove the caseback & press the stem retaining button (near to the stem opening) while inserting the stem You have to be careful because pressing too hard will dislodge/deform the locking components, causing additional (& more serious) problems.

The answer seems kind of obvious, but any watch you plan to keep for a lifetime &/or pass on/sell that does not cost a king's ransom.

Having a good, clear full-frontal would be helpful, but, based on the pics provided, it looks gen. But this is definitely a case of buy the seller before you buy the part.

Sorry, but the 2nd is a textbook example of too much of a good thing. Its 'patina' looks manufactured, man-made. Without a doubt, I would stick with the 1st option.

I assume you are talking about the GMTII & not the early/original GMTs, which had the GMT placed at the bottom I have no experience with Angus' version, but my CHS GMTIIC, which is 5+ years old, was 1 of the 1st batch made with the CHS &, other than the GMT arm becoming loose on its tube (a common problem with rep hands), it has been running well & keep good time However, most CHS GMTs failed shortly after delivery or if the GMT function was used often (I have only used the GMT function twice - once when I received the watch to test it & once again a few years ago when I accidentally turned the crown the wrong way while changing the date). If you want a CHS GMT, I would recommend checking with Andrew or Josh for their opinion & buy with the understanding that you are taking a gamble.